One of Delaware’s most historic cities commemorates the 200th anniversary of being bombed by British troops during the War of 1812 this weekend.
The Lewes Historical Society has a slew of demonstrations and lectures planned, including cannon firing and musket drills.
Executive Director Mike DiPaolo says the War of 1812 is sometimes considered the United States' forgotten war, but its outcome carried great weight - an outcome Delaware and, specifically Lewes, had a role in determining.
He says British troops had their sights on the Delaware River, DuPont gunpowder plants and eventually, Philadelphia, but troops at Lewes held them back.
“This was an event with real consequences. [The British] wanted to get further up the river, they wanted to get rid of these defenses down here and they just weren’t able to do so,” said DiPaolo.
DiPaolo adds that aside from making national headlines, some weapons the British troops used to bombard the town had an even longer lasting effect.
“It was the Congreve rockets that were first launched at Lewes that provided the “rocket’s red glare” that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the Star-Spangled Banner. So that “rocket’s red glare” first appeared over Lewes in April of 1813,” said DiPaolo.
Reenactors from Fort McHenry in Baltimore will fire cannons and put on a show with their Fife and Drum Corps as part of the weekend's activities.
Most events are free and open to the public. You can find a full list of activities this weekend at the Lewes Historical Society's website.
